28th July 2005 - Askham, Helton Fell

Who knew this ride? 7 riders ventured out in the height of summer for a rain soaked evening, we all met at the Askham swimming pool (open air!) car park, we packed our winter survival gear and set off.
Head south on the road towards Helton, the right down a lane to Heltondale, then off on the bridgeway and head UP to Loadpot hill. We cycled up through the mist and rain at a steady slow pace, in first gear, wondering what we were up against, you kept moving just to keep warm. About an hour and a bit later and we found the trig point, an ideal picnic spot for about 10 seconds!!! (someone even had sandwiches, but not Ian) then off downhill through the mist. We had now turned right and were on the High Street route. A little further on and we were directed to Lord's seat just as the mist lifted and we were gifted the specticle of evening light falling over Penrith and Ullswater, luckily Jim took photo's to seal the moment, then off the wide grassy descent to ENJOY and boy what a descent, just watch the drop offs and go!!!
Then back to Askham to dry off. Well it must be said that the downhill made the ride and I think this route will be done again.
Next week Elterwater for some rocky climbs, chips and a drink!

21st July 2005 - Walna Scar

Report by our on-the-spot consultant;
"It was such a simple plan, says he;
However:14.00: Chris phones to say he has chosen Thursday to be the perfect opportunity to start a major upgrade to his bike. Can't get it back together again in time so won't be coming(gutted!)
18.00: Fred and John decide to combine transport for last leg. Arrange to meet in Torver; They fail to meet.
18.20: John arrives at Forest without Fred
18.25: Everyone else claims they know where Fred is.
18.26: George roars off to fetch Fred.
18.32: George arrives back without Fred.
18.33: Everyone confused.
18.40: All ready to leave.
18.41: Jammie arrives!
18.50: Finally on our way. Still without Fred.
19.02: Charlie pulled off her bike by bramble. Lands on the bruises from several previous falls in the last 10 days. Doesn't cry. Good girl.
19.15: Route up from Stephenson Ground is 'completely ridable' as promised. But only by Jammie.
19.20: Dissent and muttering breaks out amongst chaps. Pacified with Bakewell Tarts. Grant admits its not the first time he's been 'pacified' by a tart.
19.45: Stop after first climb to admire sunset over the Duddon.
19.46: Fred arrives.
19.47: Fred catches breath and confesses he had forgotten his saddle, but a combination of driving like Timo Makalin and riding like Pantani got him home to fetch it and back with us on the climb.
19.50: Continue on into the mist.
19.50: Joel falls off. Everyone laughs. Joel nearly cries. Still everyone laughs.
19:55: Impossible to see one end of the group from the other: Thick mist / disparate climbing speeds - or combination of both?
20.10: Team photo in cloud at Walna Scar col after mainly walking with our bikes.
20.12: Set off down. Most happy to be riding at last. Simon looks nervous as he has forgotten his helmet.
20.13: Simon falls off. Fleeting sympathy from others.
20.14: Some get off for the steeper bits and start to walk again.
20.20: Everyone enjoys fast ridable bits.
20.25: Then George falls off: Everyone shows concern. Some genuinely. George should have cried as it looked painful. John tries to steal his wedding ring. Grant tells us all about some horrific accident he once had while doing the hoovering.
20.45: Make it to van where final part of plan works like clockwork.
21.05: Went to pub. "
PS: George went to hospital next day for a check up, nothing broken apparently.
Next week Askham, means a new ride opportunity!

14th July 2005 - Hawkshead, Claiffe

7 riders dodged showers in the car park before setting off round Latterbarrow via Colthouse and Outgate lanes, onto Wray and the base camp climb into Claiffe. Note that the first rough downhill section produced 3 punctures (same as last time!!) From base camp up into the forrest and left at the crossing to enjoy the drop and then climb up for the test and continue the usual route down by the tarn and out to Far Sawrey. Climb up the bridegway to enjoy the singletrack down to the lake shore, smiles on faces and one broken spoke! Ride along the shore for a while but then turn left up the cobbles/step route and push up back to Claiffe, on upto the crossing and down into Hawkshead, more smiles.
Next week experience Torver and Walna Scar.

7th July 2005 - Staveley, Kentmere

Report by our on-the-spot consultant;
"Some wanted to come down the Kentmere side of Garburn, some wanted to go up it and I think, to be honest, some wanted to go nowhere near either side.
But eventually a decision was made and we started up the tarmac climb to the tracks along the west side of Kentmere heading for the stepping stones and ford. Just after that was the first split. I had always been intrigued by atrack shown on the map to a disused quarry high on the fellside from where it appeared to be a simple traverse round the shoulder of the hill to join the main Garburn track slightly down on the Troutbeck side.
A warm sunny evening seemed an ideal chance to check it out, especially as it would allow me to gauge how much time it saved as the rest of the group would be heading on down to Kentmere Hall and up the pass in the normal way. I was surprised, but pleased when George said he would come with me. I don't think I've ever had anyone volunteer for one of my sorties into the unknown.
Its perhaps unnecessary to report the full details. Suffice to say it's only ridable in parts; most of the track being indistinct, muddy, covered in hoof divots and cow poo, steep, soggy, tick infested and totally overgrown withhead high bracken. It also got us to the top of the pass just after Grant arrived the normal way, and we all know how quick that is! There we stopped for sliced Yorkshire Tea Loaf and Butter and to learn that Ian, Harry andTrevor had returned to Staveley via the tracks on the eastern side of Kentmere as it afforded a greater chance of being back for chips. And beer.
After all the effort getting up, it was time for everyone to enjoy the descent. Except me. The first pull on my front brake lever had hydraulic fluid spurting from my Hope Mini callipers and me hurtling unchecked down the steep bit. I seemed to have developed an 'olive/banjo interface malfunction' as NASA would say. Which translates as 'its knackered' to the rest of us.
So whilst I nursed 'Fat Harry' back to Staveley happy in the knowledge I had done my best to retain the 'Worst Maintained Bike in Rads Award', everyone else made the most of a lovely evening with a return trip via High Borrans, the Stepping Stones (for a second time) and the long grassy descent." Jim
Next week meet at Hawkshead for a ride over Claife.

30th June 2005 - Grizedale

Fifteen riders set off from Moor Top car park, yes 15 for one of Ian's forrest rides! From the car park you can see the new trail being built, but it's not ready yet, so we headed south west on the forrest roads then right down the technical track to Lawson Park and along to the road near Black Beck Cottage. Then a lane ride along the waters edge south until a left turn up a steep track back into the forrest and Parkamoor and east until a rocky downhill to end up near Satterthwaite and the Eagles Head, where 5 enjoyed chips and the rest of the group split off and headed back via Bogle Crag wood early, leaving the last 5, lead by Ian to wrestle with some epic single track. Ride up a steep track from Satterthwaite village up Breasty Haw along single track until the road, then head left for a few hundred yards before a bridleway on the left tacks you up more track back into the forrest climb up and over and end by forrest road back to Moor Top. Less than 3 hours, but maybe we start at Satterthwaite next time so we can all enjoy the single track and end up at the pub!!!
PS: ...and only one puncture (Jamie enjoying the downhill, again) ride safe and see you next time.